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  Dimmer switchRelated Patent Categories: Electricity: Circuit Makers And Breakers, Special Application, Actuated Concurrently With Operation Or Use Of Art Device, Closure, Closure Operator Or Accessory, Sliding Closure, Closure-dragged Switch ActuatorDimmer switch description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070193863, Dimmer switch. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/775,739, filed Feb. 22, 2006. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to an electrical dimmer switch suitable for use in household wiring systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Household electrical wiring systems often include one or more electrical wiring devices such as dimmer switches that control power to one or more loads. A dimmer switch has a main actuator coupled to a power switch to turn power ON/OFF to the load. An example of such an actuator includes a rectangular shaped paddle or push pad capable of being depressed within a rectangular shaped frame located on the front face of the dimmer. The dimmer switch also includes a dimmer actuator coupled to a dimmer circuit to control the amount of power to the load. In addition, agencies, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA), require every dimmer switch to have an air-gap switch. An air-gap switch provides a mechanical means of disconnecting power to the dimmer. The air-gap switch should be accessible at the front face of the dimmer switch and be configured so as to be operable without any tools. [0004] A typical dimmer switch has an air-gap switch disposed on the front face of the dimmer which is exposed and thus may detract from the appearance of the dimmer switch. In addition, it is not practical to use the main actuator as an air-gap switch because the spacing between the top and bottom portions of the main actuator and the frame may be relatively thin which limits the movement and prevents the rotation of the main actuator about the frame. Furthermore, conventional main actuators are relatively shallow which makes it difficult to grasp the actuator and pull it outward away from the frame. What is needed is a dimmer switch with a main actuator that can be lifted upward away from the frame to activate an air-gap switch and thereby disable the operation of the dimmer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] An embodiment of the invention addresses the above-described need by providing a dimmer switch which includes a first switch for coupling to a power source, a second switch connected in series with the first switch, a dimmer module for coupling to a load to deliver an adjustable level of power to the load, and a main actuator movable between an operational position and a disconnected position. The main actuator includes a first switch actuator and a second switch actuator. The second switch actuator is coupled to the second switch while the main actuator is in the operational position; the first switch actuator is coupled to the first switch so that movement of the main actuator between the operational position and the disconnected position is effective to actuate the first switch. When the first switch is a normally-closed switch, movement of the main actuator from the operational position to the disconnected position is effective to open the first switch. [0006] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the dimmer switch also includes a frame having a central opening for accommodating the main actuator, and the main actuator is pivotally and slidably coupled to the frame. In an embodiment, a coupling between the main actuator and the frame includes at least one pivot in a pivot holder; the pivot has an end with a partial cylindrical surface in contact with a surface of the pivot holder. This surface includes a first portion having a partial cylindrical surface and a second portion having a ramp surface. [0007] According to a further aspect of the present embodiment of the invention, the first switch is a normally-closed air-gap switch including a lever in contact with the first switch actuator. In an embodiment, the main actuator in the operational position has the first switch actuator in engagement with the lever so that the first switch is not actuated, and in the disconnected position has the first switch actuator in engagement with the lever so that the first switch is actuated, thereby disconnecting the dimmer switch from the power source. [0008] Other features of the present embodiment of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode which is presently contemplated by carrying them out. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] In the drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference characters: [0010] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a dimmer switch in an operational position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0011] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the dimmer switch of FIG. 1A in a disconnected position; [0012] FIG. 1C is a front view of the dimmer switch of FIG. 1A; [0013] FIG. 1D is a right side view of the dimmer switch of FIG. 1A; [0014] FIG. 1E is a back view of the dimmer switch of FIG. 1A; [0015] FIG. 2A is a front view of the dimmer switch of FIG. 1A; [0016] FIG. 2B is a left side view of the dimmer switch of FIG. 1A; [0017] FIG. 2C is a right side view of the dimmer switch of FIG. 1A; [0018] FIG. 2D is a top view of the dimmer switch of FIG. 1A; [0019] FIG. 2E is a perspective view of the dimmer switch of FIG. 1A with the frame assembly removed; [0020] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the dimmer switch of FIG. 1A; Continue reading about Dimmer switch... Full patent description for Dimmer switch Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Dimmer switch patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Dimmer switch or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Switch actuation device Next Patent Application: System and method of loading liquid metal switches Industry Class: Electricity: circuit makers and breakers ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Dimmer switch patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.46249 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , |
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